It seems odd to find such a little letter (shorter than many chapters of the Bible) in the scriptures. In fact the conclusion of this letter says, “I could write more, but I’d rather talk to you face to face.” That’s a sentiment worth pondering in an age of texts, “tweets,” and e-mails! How many opportunities to experience love and community do we miss through depending too heavily on technology?
One might be tempted to wonder what possible contribution this brief epistle can make, but, as I read it, there are a couple things that jump out to me today.
First, John comes right out and says that it is, “not as though I were writing you a new commandment.” There’s nothing that’s really new here. If you read John’s Gospel and his first epistle, you will recognize very familiar themes in this little letter. The foremost thought is this, “love one another.” As John writes to, “the elect lady,” her, “children,” and talks about her, “sister,” he is writing to a specific congregation of Christians, but the letter applies beyond them to all Christians of all times. Today this message of, “love one another,” needs to be heard all the more clearly.
The call to love one another turns standard opinions regarding faith on their ear. That is, that faith is a personal matter and something that is expressed inwardly. When we are called to love one another this tells us that our faith is to be articulated outwardly as well. This happens when we live our lives caring for the wellbeing of others. It means that we help. We show kindness. We listen, etc; as we would expect when we hear the word, “love.” It also means that we will work diligently in our jobs because we care about the contribution we make. We also use our abilities to improve our communities. And we invest ourselves in others . . . especially our children . . . to pass the faith on to them, encourage them, and build them up.
The second point that grabs my attention is how strongly John feels about the importance of teaching the truth. In today’s world, truth can seem like a slippery thing, and we are often called to simply accept one another, not concerning ourselves with differences in doctrine. We are taught that it is unkind or unloving to stand separate from others.
While John does want us to love one another, this love is not the same thing as being nice, nor does it equal today’s concept of tolerance. John states is v. 10-11, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him in to your house of give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.” John is speaking here particularly of the teaching of Jesus’ incarnation – that Jesus was true God and true man in one person – however, this principle certainly applies in other areas when we disagree on the doctrine of salvation. Not that we should be rude about this, and certainly not violent, but what we believe about Jesus and the true message delivered in God’s Word matters.
There is no message greater than that of God’s love expressed to us in Jesus. The words of Acts 4 reverberate here, “There is no other name . . . by which we must be saved.” Jesus is the only source of salvation, and what we believe and teach about Him in our words and actions are of highest importance.
Father, help me to know Jesus’ forgiveness and love so I may share it in word and deed. Amen.
One might be tempted to wonder what possible contribution this brief epistle can make, but, as I read it, there are a couple things that jump out to me today.
First, John comes right out and says that it is, “not as though I were writing you a new commandment.” There’s nothing that’s really new here. If you read John’s Gospel and his first epistle, you will recognize very familiar themes in this little letter. The foremost thought is this, “love one another.” As John writes to, “the elect lady,” her, “children,” and talks about her, “sister,” he is writing to a specific congregation of Christians, but the letter applies beyond them to all Christians of all times. Today this message of, “love one another,” needs to be heard all the more clearly.
The call to love one another turns standard opinions regarding faith on their ear. That is, that faith is a personal matter and something that is expressed inwardly. When we are called to love one another this tells us that our faith is to be articulated outwardly as well. This happens when we live our lives caring for the wellbeing of others. It means that we help. We show kindness. We listen, etc; as we would expect when we hear the word, “love.” It also means that we will work diligently in our jobs because we care about the contribution we make. We also use our abilities to improve our communities. And we invest ourselves in others . . . especially our children . . . to pass the faith on to them, encourage them, and build them up.
The second point that grabs my attention is how strongly John feels about the importance of teaching the truth. In today’s world, truth can seem like a slippery thing, and we are often called to simply accept one another, not concerning ourselves with differences in doctrine. We are taught that it is unkind or unloving to stand separate from others.
While John does want us to love one another, this love is not the same thing as being nice, nor does it equal today’s concept of tolerance. John states is v. 10-11, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him in to your house of give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.” John is speaking here particularly of the teaching of Jesus’ incarnation – that Jesus was true God and true man in one person – however, this principle certainly applies in other areas when we disagree on the doctrine of salvation. Not that we should be rude about this, and certainly not violent, but what we believe about Jesus and the true message delivered in God’s Word matters.
There is no message greater than that of God’s love expressed to us in Jesus. The words of Acts 4 reverberate here, “There is no other name . . . by which we must be saved.” Jesus is the only source of salvation, and what we believe and teach about Him in our words and actions are of highest importance.
Father, help me to know Jesus’ forgiveness and love so I may share it in word and deed. Amen.
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